Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and close ally of President Trump, has caused uproar by supporting America’s withdrawal from NATO and the United Nations.
At a Glance
- Elon Musk publicly agreed with a suggestion that the U.S. should leave NATO and the UN
- Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah shares Musk’s sentiment, calling NATO a “great deal for Europe” but a “raw deal for America”
- President Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for inadequate defense spending
- Musk’s statement aligns with growing conservative skepticism about international commitments
- Critics warn U.S. withdrawal could weaken Western security and allow adversaries like Russia to gain influence
Musk’s Bombshell Endorsement
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has thrown his considerable influence behind the idea of America withdrawing from NATO and the United Nations. The billionaire tech mogul, who now serves as an advisor to President Donald Trump through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responded with a simple yet profound “I agree” to a social media post suggesting America should exit these international organizations.
The provocative statement came in response to a suggestion from MAGA influencer Gunther Eagleman, who posted “It’s time to leave NATO and the UN.” Musk’s endorsement adds significant weight to growing conservative criticism of these longstanding international commitments, which many Republicans view as financially burdensome and increasingly disconnected from America’s national interests.
Musk is not alone in questioning America’s international commitments. Senator Mike Lee of Utah has been a vocal critic of both NATO and the UN, describing the military alliance as a “great deal for Europe” but a “raw deal for America.” Lee’s critique reflects a growing sentiment among conservatives that American resources are being used to defend Europe without adequate protection or benefits for the United States.
“Europe doesn’t love us,” Senator Mike Lee said.
Lee has gone so far as to introduce legislation aimed at pulling the United States out of the United Nations, which he harshly characterized as “a platform for tyrants and a venue to attack America and her allies.” His criticism came after a Norwegian fuel supplier protested against U.S. actions by refusing to refuel American military aircraft, though Norway’s government quickly clarified it would continue supporting U.S. military operations despite the protest.
Trump’s NATO Criticism
President Donald Trump has long been critical of NATO, repeatedly pressuring European nations to increase their defense spending and suggesting the United States bears too much of the alliance’s financial burden. During his presidency, Trump frequently expressed frustration with NATO allies who failed to meet the agreed-upon target of spending 2% of their GDP on defense, creating tension within the 32-member alliance.
With Musk now serving as a key advisor in Trump’s orbit, his public support for withdrawing from these international organizations raises questions about potential policy shifts now that Trump is back in charge.
If Trump wanted to make it happen, now would be the time for him to do it.
